Paks

you, Paks, were stuck in those warehouses, and Keri and Volya hadn't found anything better than a stray silver, so here I am. Take your pick."
"Is it really gold?" asked Volya doubtfully.
"I think so. It's soft, like gold, and it doesn't look like copper. It's heavy."
Keri reached over and picked up a ring with a pale green stone. "I wonder what this is."
"I don't know. But let's split it up, before I lose my generous impulses. Paks, you choose first; you're the veteran."
Paks looked over the small pile. "I could take this bracelet for my sister," she said tentatively. It was made in a pattern of linked leaves, with tiny blue stones between them. "We'll take turns," she went on.
"Go on, then. Keri?"
"I'll take this ring."
"I like this," said Volya. She had found a little gold fish, arched as if it were leaping, with a loop formed by the dorsal fin to hold a chain.
Jenits held out his left hand, with a heavy gold ring set with onyx on the first finger. "I cheated," he said. "I took my favorite out first." They laughed and went on choosing. When they'd finished, Jenits folded the square of silk and tucked it into his tunic. "I feel much safer how," he said. "I was afraid I'd have a greedy fit, and you've